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  • Prisoners, guards getting vaccinated at Airway Heights Corrections Center

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 29, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS--Inmates and prison guards have begun receiving COVID-19 vaccinations at the Airway Heights Corrections Center. Staff and inmates have also received vaccinations at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell. 1,410 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among inmates and 162 confirmed cases among staff have occurred at the Airway Heights Corrections Center, according to daily data released by the Department of Corrections. The Department confirmed the first death of an inmate Dec. 18. About 1,500 total inmates are in the...

  • Cheney's McGourin commits to University of Montana

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 24, 2020

    MISSOULA – Cheney High School senior Ben McGourin signed a letter of intent to play football where his older brother is now playing — the University of Montana. Ben McGourin, 6 foot, 2 inches, 215 pounds will join the Grizzlies as a true freshman in fall camp and is listed as a defensive lineman. He is one of 19 players to sign letters of intent to play in Missoula – with all but three others coming from the state of Montana. McGourin is a two-star rated prospect by 247 Sports...

  • Airway Heights woman dies in U.S. 2 accident

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 17, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS — A 40-year-old Airway Heights woman was killed in a two-car collision on U.S. Highway 2 Thursday evening, Dec. 10. According to a Washington State Patrol report, a 2003 GMC Envoy driven by Ashley L. Hamilton was exiting the Spoko Fuel station west of the city and making an eastbound turn onto the highway at approximately 6 p.m. when the vehicle was struck by a westbound 1990 Harsco BMY, a five-ton, 6x6 military transport that dates from the Desert Storm-era, driven by 35-year-old Jasper A. Jensen of S...

  • Spokane Valley man charged with vehicular assault

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 17, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A Spokane Valley man was charged with reckless driving in a Friday, Dec. 12, afternoon collision that injured a city of Spokane couple. According to a Washington State Patrol press memo, a white 2012 Ford Escape driven by 29-year-old Duckhein S. Joseph of Spokane Valley was eastbound on U.S. Highway 2 at approximately 3:20 p.m. Joseph was apparently speeding and passing traffic in the center median when he struck a westbound 2019 Honda Ridgeline head on driven by 73-year-old David E. Strand as it sat in t...

  • Broemmeling named director of business development

    STAFF AND NEWS REPORTS|Updated Dec 17, 2020

    SPOKANE – Former West Plains Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Toby Broemmeling has been named the new director of business development at business coaching and consulting services firm Champion Empire. According to a news release, Broemmeling will oversee development of the organization’s strategic partnerships and establish strong long-term relationships with clients. Broemmeling recently stepped down as executive director of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce in October where he served in that capacity since Jan...

  • Airway Heights woman dies in Thursday crash

    FROM STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 15, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS — A local woman was killed in a two-car collision on U.S. Highway 2 on Thursday evening. Ashley L. Hamilton, 40, died of her injuries at a Spokane medical center. According to a Washington State Patrol report, a 2003 GMC Envoy driven by Hamilton was exiting the Spoko Fuel station west of the city, turning onto the eastbound lanes of the highway at approximately 6 p.m. when the vehicle was struck by a westbound 1990 Harsco BMY. The vehicle is a 5-ton, 6x6 military transport dating from the Desert Storm-era. I...

  • COVID-19 cancels Eagles men's game at UNLV

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 10, 2020

    CHENEY – University of Nevada-Las Vegas Athletics announced Dec. 8 that its scheduled men’s basketball game against Eastern Washington has been canceled. The game was scheduled to take place Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Runnin’ Rebels report a member of the UNLV men’s basketball program tested positive for COVID-19 during routine testing. The Eagles, who lost at Oregon 69-52 on Monday, Dec. 7, were notified of the situation before traveling to Las Vegas from Eugene. Eastern’s next scheduled...

  • Avista customers in Sprague to experience a planned power outage

    FROM STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES, Cheney Free Press|Updated Dec 9, 2020

    SPOKANE — Approximately 480 Avista electric customers in the town of Sprague and the surrounding area will experience a planned power outage on Tuesday, Dec 15. The planned outage will begin at 2 a.m. and end at 4 a.m. No road closures are expected during this outage. The planned outage is required as Avista crews conduct routine maintenance to their Sprague substation. The routine maintenance will increase reliability and reduce future outages in the area. “We understand power outages can be inconvenient and we app...

  • Broemmeling named director of business development

    FROM STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 9, 2020

    Spokane -- Former West Plains Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Toby Broemmeling has been named the new director of business development at business coaching and consulting services firm Champion Empire. According to a news release, Broemmeling will oversee development of the organization’s strategic partnerships and establish strong long-term relationships with clients. Broemmeling recently stepped down as executive director of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce in October where he served in that capacity since J...

  • Former Airway Heights Corrections Center guard claims he was fired for wearing 'Black Lives Matter' shirt

    FROM STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 4, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS--A former on-call guard at the corrections center is suing the Department of Corrections, claiming that he was fired for wearing a "Black Lives Matter" T-Shirt. Enow-Tambong Agbor-Baiyee was hired into the position in May 2020, The Seattle Times reported yesterday. The federal wrongful termination lawsuit claims that an instructor and other trainees wore shirts that stated "Police Lives Matter." Agbor-Baiyee reportedly filed an objection in writing, then wore a "Black Lives Matter" shirt in response. The...

  • Davenport woman injured in Airway Heights crash

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 3, 2020

    AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Two people were injured, including a 26-year-old Davenport, Wash. woman, in a two-car collision Wednesday evening, Nov. 25, on State Route 2. According to a Washington State Patrol press memo, a 2010 Subaru Forester driven by 43-year-old Lindsay G. Spotted Eagle of Airway Heights was northbound on Craig Road at approximately 6:51 p.m. Spotted Eagle made a right turn onto State Route 2 and was headed east when she then made a left turn across the double turn lane and struck a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by 2...

  • EWU professor and former Eagle Raphael Guillory passes away

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Dec 3, 2020

    CHENEY – Raphael Guillory, the starting free safety on the first Eastern Washington University team to win the Big Sky Conference football championship, passed away Sunday, Nov. 29, after a long battle with cancer. He was 49 and leaves behind his wife, Gloria, and five children. Guillory played for Eastern in 1992 and 1993, and went on to become an Eastern professor and earn his Ph.D. He played at Walla Walla Community College before he came to Eastern, where he was a teammate...

  • Cheney extends application time period for COVID-19 business relief grant funding

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 25, 2020

    CHENEY – Officials have announced that there are still funds remaining in the city’s Small Business Assistance Grant Program and are extending the previous deadline to all more local businesses to apply for funding. The program’s goal is to mitigate COVID-19 impacts on Cheney small businesses and their employees through offering immediate financial assistance to small businesses within the city limits. Grants are designed to help businesses meet unfunded expenses resulting from the impacts of the coronavirus. To be eligi...

  • Allegiant Air offers nonstop service from Spokane

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 25, 2020

    SPOKANE – Allegiant Airlines announced Nov. 17 that it was offering two new nonstop routes from Spokane International Airport: one to Las Vegas, Nev. and the other to Orange County, Calif. The new routes to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and John Wayne Airport in Orange County begin Feb. 11 and Feb. 18, 2021 respectively. In a news release, Spokane International officials said the new nonstop routes will operate twice weekly, with flight days, times and the l...

  • Man killed in Spokane Valley pursuit

    FROM STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES, Spokane Valley News Herald|Updated Nov 23, 2020

    SPOKANE VALLEY -- A man was shot and killed by police deputies after a vehicle pursuit that ended at Sprague and University Sunday night. According to a Spokane Valley Police Department news release, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a reckless and erratically driven vehicle at approximately 6:45 p.m. Nov. 22 near Valleyway and Mullan Road. The adult male failed to stop, initiating a pursuit, hitting parked cars, going into opposing lanes of travel and swerving at high speeds in the process. Officers attempted...

  • Decorate your home for Holiday Hoopla

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 19, 2020

    CHENEY – Want to show off your holiday outdoor home decorating prowess? Here’s your chance to be included on the map for the Cheney Merchant Association’s Holiday Hoopla Light & Decor Contest, happening December 4. All you have to do is send your address and decorate your home by or before Dec. 4 and you will be on the map participants will follow to view local lights and be a part of CMA’s Holiday Hoopla event, along with eligibility to win one of three cash prizes. Send your address no later than Sunday, Nov. 22, if you...

  • Eagle women tip-off hardwood schedule Nov. 25

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 19, 2020

    CHENEY – The Eastern Washington University women’s basketball team only has 16 more days to wait until the first highly-anticipated game day since March 2020, as the 2020-21 schedule was announced Nov. 9 by head coach Wendy Schuller, who begins her 20th season at the Eagles helm. Due to the delayed start to the season, Eastern Washington will play only five non-conference games with three on the road and two at home at Reese Court. Big Sky Conference play will also look dif...

  • Eagles volleyball to play 15 Big Sky Conference matches

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 19, 2020

    CHENEY – The start of the season comes five months later than expected, but the Eastern Washington University volleyball team is now preparing for a 16-match Big Sky Conference schedule that includes everyone except Idaho State and Montana State, as announced Nov. 5. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 winter/spring schedule looks a little different for the conference. Eastern Washington plays on back-to-back nights, Sunday and Monday, and face the same opponent at the same site. Eight games will be played at R...

  • Eastern men picked to win Big Sky basketball title

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 19, 2020

    CHENEY – Eastern Washington University has emerged as a clear favorite to repeat as Big Sky Conference men’s basketball regular-season champions in 2021. According to a Nov. 11 news release, the Eagles garnered nine of 11 first-place votes cast by the coaches and 24 of 28 by the media in the preseason polls announced by the league office — a total of 33 of 39 ballots, or 85 percent, that had the Eagles as No. 1. The league season is scheduled to begin Dec. 3. “Our team is being picked as the favorite to win the Big Sky thi...

  • Spokane County Libraries return to curbside pickup, virtual services only

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 19, 2020

    SPOKANE COUNTY -- The Library district has announced that all county libraries will close their buildings to the public and are returning to curbside pickup services only. The move was effective beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 18, pausing all in-library services until Tuesday, Dec. 15, with this date subject to change. Curbside pickup hours will remain the same, Monday – Saturday, noon – 6 p.m. on days when a library would normally be open. Days and locations can be found online at www.scld.org. Digital services and res...

  • Outreach Center Christmas gifts for kids sign up underway

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 12, 2020

    CHENEY – Sign up for the annual Christmas Gifts for Cheney Kids is underway. Cheney Outreach Center’s holiday gift drive will look very different this year as, due to Covid-19 restrictions, no donations boxes will be set up at local businesses. Instead, the Center will only be accepting monetary donations. Checks clearly marked “Xmas Gifts for Kids” should be mailed to Cheney Outreach Center, P.O. Box 444, Cheney WA 99004. Last year, the community’s generosity enabled Outreach to provide gifts for 141 children. Outreach...

  • Board of Health officially terminates Lutz

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 12, 2020

    SPOKANE – The Spokane Regional Health District’s Board of Health made it official last week that Dr. Bob Lutz is no longer the district’s Health Officer. In an 8-4 decision at a Nov. 6 meeting, board members voted to uphold the termination of Lutz by the district’s administration Amelia Clark. According to media reports, Clark accused Lutz of insubordination, unauthorized spending of district funds and behaving in a sexist manner towards Health District female employees. Examples of insubordination were Lutz’s writing o...

  • Cheney schools Veterans Day observances online

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 12, 2020

    CHENEY – Local middle and high school leadership organizations have posted Veterans Day observances online for community members to view. To view the Cheney High School virtual assembly go to: https://youtu.be/QR2185xPqUI To view the Cheney Middle School virtual assembly go to: https://youtu.be/6i7oz6nE45k Presentations were prepared by students and staff....

  • Spokane County Library District is ready to turn on the open sign

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 12, 2020

    SPOKANE COUNTY – All libraries in Spokane County Library District will open on Thursday, Nov. 12. “The re-opening requirements are a challenge that our libraries have adhered to while still offering as many services as possible,” district officials said in a Nov. 6 news release. “We wish that as a library we could to do everything we used to before the pandemic, but until the requirements change, we appreciate your patience and understanding that not all services, resources, and programs will be available.” Beginning Nov. 12,...

  • Cheney High announces October PACE award students

    STAFF AND NEWS SOURCES|Updated Nov 12, 2020

    CHENEY – High school officials have released the list of students who have received PACE award honors in October. The PACE trait of the month was “Responsibility.” Award winners are Gabriel Daymude, Hannah Davis, Arturo Jeronimo, Korynn Roberts, Malea Farrell, Kamalani Seehawer, Adrianna Wood, Bradley Golden, Van Vega, Sara Graham, Johnathon Palmer, Madison McKerracher, Logan Mink, Merrick Schmeets, Christopher Rowley, Monte Judd, Seth Johnson, Jake Jongeward, Koltin Baldwin, Sarah Culps, Tommy Daniels, Mathias Miller, Natali...

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